Sonny Bill Williams will return to Rugby Union to play for the All Blacks in the 2015 World Cup.

Chiefs head coach Dave Rennie confirmed Williams would be in New Zealand to challenge for a World Cup place. What Rennie could not say is whether it will be in 2014 or 2015.

‘He will come back to rugby – when is the big question,’ Rennie told Radio Sport. ‘I think he is almost certain to be here in a World Cup year and he will definitely come back to the Chiefs.

‘Obviously there is a bit of stuff to be sorted. I know he is going great guns for Sydney (Roosters) at the moment so whether he ends up staying another year or whether he comes back to rugby sooner I am not sure.’

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen’s comment that all foreign-based New Zealand players who returned to play in New Zealand would be considered for World Cup, even if they left it to 2015.

The comment seemed reserved exclusively for Williams, as Hansen qualified the comment by saying some were good enough to only return to New Zealand in 2015 and make the World Cup squad and others would risk being overtaken by local based talent.

Williams has made an immediate impact on his return to League and League critics agree he is a better League player because of his five years in Rugby Union.